The Jackson office of Adams and Reese was recognized recently by the University of Mississippi School of Law for becoming the first firm to reach 100 percent giving in the UM Law Firm Challenge, as issued by Dean and Professor of Law Susan Duncan.
Ten of the firm’s Jackson attorneys completed their law degrees from the University of Mississippi, including Bill Brabec, who earned his bachelor’s degree there in 1980 and his J.D. in 1983. Brabec was designated as the team captain for the challenge and was instrumental in Adams and Reese reaching the 100-percent giving plateau before any other Mississippi-based law office.
“We are so proud of Adams and Reese for being the first firm to achieve 100 percent giving among alumni,” Duncan said in a University press release. “They truly took the challenge to heart and did a great job of quickly getting their alumni to support the initiative. We hope that their success will encourage other firms to reach 100 percent [giving].”
Other local Adams and Reese attorneys who graduated from the UM School of Law are Matt Dowd (2005), Jarrad Garner (1999), Jim Keith (1982), Elizabeth Lee Maron (1995), Gee Ogletree (1977), Charles Parrott (1978), Austin Stewart (2007), Jeff Trotter (1993) and Chip Wilbanks (1986).
Brabec and Ogletree combined to coordinate the Jackson office’s giving efforts, and Adams and Reese was able to complete the challenge in only five weeks.
“Adams and Reese always encourages excellence and philanthropy,” Brabec said. “Also, being a regional firm with alumni from all over the Southeast, there is a lot of competitive spirit between the alumni of the various SEC Schools. We quickly accepted Dean Duncan’s challenge to us. We believe that fundraising will play an increasingly important role in the future of all law schools as we support Dean Duncan as she continues to enhance the law school’s tradition of excellence and takes it to new heights.”
The University of Mississippi School of Law issued its first annual Law Firm Challenge in October 2017 with the goal of tripling its annual rate of alumni giving. Adams and Reese’s participation, along with the other 20 firms challenged by the University, will help provide scholarships and operational funds needed to assist in numerous initiatives that are not funded by endowments. Alumni giving also helps boost the School of Law’s standing among nationally-prominent programs.
As the first firm to reach 100 percent giving, Adams and Reese will receive a personalized trophy and premium placement in the UM Law website and the Alumni Newsletter.